Seattle, WA – The UC-Riverside Highlander track and field squads have loaded up and flown north to Seattle, WA for the 2020 Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (MPSF) Indoor Track and Field Championships. This is UCR's best indoor conference championship opportunity, because the Big West does not sponsor an indoor championship. The Pac-12 also does not sponsor an indoor championship, so this meet is hybrid with all Pac-12 programs several other Big West programs and some WCC programs as well. "The MPSF Championships are an electric atmosphere. We're confident that our athletes are prepared to continue elevating their performances" says Director of Track & Field Nate Browne.
The Highlanders will feature top talent in several events. Tanner Anderson will head back to the oval in pursuit of another historic mark. He's ranked as the 4th fastest 800m runner going into the championships and expectations are very high for the sophomore school-record holder. "Tanner's last race was an indication that he's ready to roll with the best in the MPSF," mentioned Browne. "He's very capable of running at the front of this race or tucking into the middle of the pack and moving his way up each lap. We'll sit down tonight and figure out exactly which plan he wants to execute on race day" concluded Browne.
Also in scoring position are duo school record holders KenadyJackson and Maya Cook. Both ladies are on the presapus of scoring some valuable team points at 200m and both will face off head to head in the same heat of the 60m dash as well. "We fully expect both of these young ladies to go out and lower that 200m all-time mark, and who knows, maybe they'll stay tied with a faster mark," commented Browne.
The Highlanders have entries in the men's and women's shot put, long jump, triple jump, 5000m, 3000m and 800m that are all highly anticipated as well.
"We have some athletes in scoring position, and we have even more who are primed to assault the top-10 all-time list this weekend. I speak for our whole staff in saying we're fired up and ready to rise to this occasion!" concluded Browne.
The Highlanders kick things off at 12:00 pm on Friday with the women's weight throw, featuring talented freshman Shiloh Corrales-Nelson. The track heats up on Friday afternoon at 4:30 PM with Purnima Gunarathna and Callie Lawson-Freeman opening up track action in the women's 60m Hurdles prelims. Saturday morning Gunarathna will pave the way for the Highlanders in the women's high jump at 10:00 am and the men's 4x400m relay led by Anderson, coupled with Jose Cruz, Ethan Van Setten and Ryan Ayale will close things out for the Highlanders at 3:05 PM.
Video coverage of the meet will be available with a paid subscription to Flotrack Sports. Live results will be available www.gohuskies.com. Also, keep an eye on UCR Track and Field on both Instagram @UCRiversideTrackXC and Twitter@UCR_Trackfield
